“Everything ready?” Kate asked. “Do we tell them that the reasons they need to leave are lies?”
“No,” Sara said. “We need as much urgency as we can get. Hurry up and do this so you can leave.”
When Mrs. Aiken delivered the food, she looked at the screen and the blocked windows and said she was going to stay. Jack had to take her arm and lead her out.
The others arrived after the food did.
“What’s this about?” Clive asked. “I really do need to leave. My bank called again. If I don’t show up, they’ll get someone else.”
Sara smiled. “They are threatening you because they know you’re the only one who can do the job. They need a numbers man who is charming. Who else is there?”
&nb
sp; Clive softened under the praise and went into the chapel and sat down.
Nadine was next. “I do hope this doesn’t take long. I need to condition my hair.”
“I have a product I bought on St. Helena. You’ve been there, of course?”
“Certainly,” Nadine said.
“Then you know what a center of beauty and luxury it is.” Sara had been to the remote island a couple of times. Luxurious, it was not. “I’ll give you a bottle.”
Smiling, Nadine took a seat.
When they were all in place, Jack stood before them. It had been agreed that he would lead the presentation—mainly because he’d nearly begged for the right. “Let me have at them. Please.”
The Pack wasn’t much interested in what he was about to say. Their cups of tea and pretty plates full of sandwiches and cakes interested them more.
Nadine looked at Sara. “Did you take some nice photos?” Her voice was patronizing and full of the singsong baby talk that people often used on older people. It was a tone that always sent Sara into a rage.
Jack gave her a look to stay calm, then turned to the others. “Actually, these photos were taken by Kate and me. Sara wanted to go but since it meant rappelling down the sheer side of a hole in the ground, Kate and I said no.” His words were meant to see who reacted, but none of them did. They just looked at him, not much interested. “Please put your teacups down.”
“Yes, of course,” Byon said. “We must give our attention to the show. Does it have music?”
“Hope so,” Nadine said.
Jack nodded to Kate and the first photo came onto the screen. It was of the skeleton.
“A horror show,” Byon said. “How divine.”
There were three more photos, then a pause. A picture of the watch with its inscription came on the screen. To Sean Thorpe. First Prize. 1991.
A teacup crashed to the floor.
“That was Sean’s,” Nadine cried out.
The next photo showed a bony hand.
The room was silent.
Kate flipped through two more photos, then Puck turned on the light.
Sara, Jack and Kate were watching the faces of the audience. They were all in a state of shock—but they couldn’t tell if it was from their discovering the death or from the death having been discovered.
Teddy was the first to speak. “Was that my father? If that watch was his, then was that...that him?”
“Yes,” Jack said. “We believe he was murdered and his body was hidden.”